This activity requires you to comprehensively report on a biological issue. An issue is something that people hold different opinions or viewpoints on. There are a number of issues that impact on Australians . In this activity you will be researching an issue related to Gene Testing.
Genetic testing is the new wave of the future. Geneticists can now tell possible carriers of the gene for a disease their true fate, not just give them odds. Now that we can tell people what genes they will or do have, do we allow people to selectively decide when and whatever they want to know? Do we test the unborn, and if so, then can the parents abort if they are unhappy with the results? How far do we let things go? Is genetic testing really a good ethical procedure? But what if it could also prevent and help cure disease?
Our genes hold an encyclopedia of information about us and, indirectly, about our relatives. Who should be privy to that information. Will a predisposition for cancer, for instance, remain secret - or could the information slip out? The concern is that test results might someday be used against a person. Some people have been denied Health Insurance, some have lost jobs or and some have been turned down for adoptions because of their gene status.
OVERALL TASK:
You will be required to work in a small group to develop and refine a suitable research question or purpose based on the issue described above. In your Group you will research Gene Testing in order to answer your question and share resources. You will present your findings in an individual Research Report
Task 1 – Developing and refining a research question
Develop possible questions, suitable for research, relating to the issue
e.g Who owns your DNA assignment?
e.g. Should gene testing be compulsory?
e.g. Should you be able to test someone’s DNA without their permission?
e.g. Should DNA testing only be available for disease prevention and cure?
Select and refine one question or purpose on which to base your research. This must relate to the biology of Genes and Gene testing. It will help to focus your research.
Submit your possible questions and your research question or purpose to your teacher for approval before beginning your research
Task 2 – Collecting and processing information. You will have 2 weeks to collect and process your information.
Research your chosen claim by collecting evidence from at least three different internet sources. This information must include biological ideas about Genes and Gene Testing. Also collect and process information on the differing viewpoints that people, groups and/or organisations have expressed about how this issue. Record this evidence in note form.
Make sure you collect enough information to allow you to take a position on the issue. You will be expected to justify your position using information taken. You must also make a recommendation for further action and give reasons for your recommendation.
Use the Validity of evidence in Internet Sources Template to evaluate the information in each of your 3 sources
Prepare a Bibliography using the conventions outlined in your school diary . Also note any sources you do not use and explain why they were unsuitable.
Write a comprehensive report on GeneTestingin which you:
state your research question or purpose, which must be suitable for research and refined from the issue above;
identify the biology relating to the Gene testing and the issue you have chosen by making multiple links between relevant biological ideas;
identify two different points of view on the issue supported by evidence i.e. giving reasons why the people, groups and/or organisations hold those viewpoints;
state your own position on the issue. Use information from your sources to justify why you hold that position, and make a recommendation with reasons for action in the future;
Introduction
This activity requires you to comprehensively report on a biological issue. An issue is something that people hold different opinions or viewpoints on. There are a number of issues that impact on Australians . In this activity you will be researching an issue related to Gene Testing.
Genetic testing is the new wave of the future. Geneticists can now tell possible carriers of the gene for a disease their true fate, not just give them odds. Now that we can tell people what genes they will or do have, do we allow people to selectively decide when and whatever they want to know? Do we test the unborn, and if so, then can the parents abort if they are unhappy with the results? How far do we let things go? Is genetic testing really a good ethical procedure? But what if it could also prevent and help cure disease?
Our genes hold an encyclopedia of information about us and, indirectly, about our relatives. Who should be privy to that information. Will a predisposition for cancer, for instance, remain secret - or could the information slip out? The concern is that test results might someday be used against a person. Some people have been denied Health Insurance, some have lost jobs or and some have been turned down for adoptions because of their gene status.
OVERALL TASK:
You will be required to work in a small group to develop and refine a suitable research question or purpose based on the issue described above. In your Group you will research Gene Testing in order to answer your question and share resources. You will present your findings in an individual Research ReportTask 1 – Developing and refining a research question
- Develop possible questions, suitable for research, relating to the issue
e.g Who owns your DNA assignment?e.g. Should gene testing be compulsory?
e.g. Should you be able to test someone’s DNA without their permission?
e.g. Should DNA testing only be available for disease prevention and cure?
Submit your possible questions and your research question or purpose to your teacher for approval before beginning your research
Task 2 – Collecting and processing information. You will have 2 weeks to collect and process your information.
Make sure you collect enough information to allow you to take a position on the issue. You will be expected to justify your position using information taken. You must also make a recommendation for further action and give reasons for your recommendation.
- Use the Validity of evidence in Internet Sources Template to evaluate the information in each of your 3 sources
- Prepare a Bibliography using the conventions outlined in your school diary . Also note any sources you do not use and explain why they were unsuitable.
Possible sources you may choose to use are:Understanding Gene Testing . http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEPC/NIH/
Evergreen, G. L. (2012). Science Quest 10 /Australian Curriculum Edition . John Wiley & Sons .
Genetic Testing Dilemmas. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/genetic-testing-dilemmas-p1.html
Personal DNA Testing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiJrM3GX-Qg
Task 3 – Reporting
Write a comprehensive report on GeneTesting in which you: